Matrix bending machine



Sept. 30, 1958 A. J. slMPsqN, JR

MATRIX BENDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1954 FIG.,

IN V EN TOR.

flflgre w (504736017 $2M K AT TORNEYS Sept. 30, 1958 A. J. SIMPSON, JR 2,853,740

MATFIX BENDING MACHINE Filed OCC. 25, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F|G.3 as

INVEN TOR.

') ATTORNEYS Unite States atent MATRIX BENDING MACHINE Andrew J. Simpson, Jr., Bay City, Mich.

Application October 25, 1954, Serial No. 464,483

3 Claims. (Cl. 18-19) This invention relates to matrix bending machines for reversely bending and removing the curvature from the matrix used in printing newspapers andother material utilizing a cylindrical printing cylinder.

Matrices of the type herein referred to are formed of heavy paper fiber and are pre-molded to form a semicylindrical section which contains the set-up or type for printing the newspaper, and these matrices then form the mold from which the press plates are. cast. Due to the curvature, the matrix members occupy a great deal of space and are, in fact, quite difiicult to' file and store.

Therefore, one of the prime objects of the invention is to design a machine which will remove the curvature of the matrix so that it will lie flat and may be simply filed and stored on edge, with a minimum space requirement and in an orderly manner so that :the matrix member is easy to get at, check, and remove.

Another object of the invention is to design a machine by means of which the matrix members may be reversely bent and then heated to loosen the fibers so that when the members are reversely bent to a predetermined degree of curvature, they will spring back to flat; straight position and so remain, lying flat and smooth when removed from the machine.

A further object is to provide a very simple, practical and relatively inexpensive matrix straightening means which is compact in size, easy to operate and very economical to manufacture.

A further object still is to provide simple, manually operable means for reversely bending the matrix to predetermined curvature, together with means for heating the area in which the reversely bent members are held, causing the matrix fibers to slide on each other so that they lie flat and smooth when removed for storage.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that equivalent changes may be made in the various elements of the invention, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective, elevational view of my matrix straightening machine, parts being broken away to show the interior mechanism and the arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a top plan, sectional view through the upper compartment of the machine showing a bundle of matrix members in position preparatory to being compressed and reversely bent for straightening purposes.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the matrix in reversely bent position.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the device comprises a preferably sheet metal housing H including corner legs and vertically spacede (not shown).

apart shelves 11 and 12 spanning said legs, and a housing 14 is spaced above the shelf 12. This upper housing is closed as shown to form a compartment C and has an opening 15 in the one side wall thereof with a door 16 forming a closure for same, said door being mountedv on hinges 17 and a conventional lock 18 is provided as usual for securing the door in closed position.

Spaced-apart sprockets 19 and 20 are mounted on transversely disposed shafts 21 and 22 which are journaled in bearings 23, these shafts being horizontally disposed as shown, and a sprocket chain S is trainedthereover. The bottom wall of the cabinet C is longitudinally slotted as at 24 to accommodate the sprocket chain S, and a bracket B is securely riveted to this chain within the cabinet, said bracket comprising a foot 25' having upstanding bars or legs 26 welded thereto, and angularly disposed wing sections 27 are secured to the legs 26 to complete the bracket and against which a batch of curved matrices M are placed when the machine is operated.

A vertically disposed, preferably sheet metal Wall panel 28 projects upwardly from and forms a part of the bracket B, and a strip 29 is welded to the upper end of said wall and to the legs 26, all as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Transversely spaced, vertical hinge posts 30 are provided in the front end of compartment C directly adjacent each wall, and sheet metal panel sections 31 are pivotally connected to each post and span the compartment, the adjacent edges of these panels lyingin sub-' stantially abutting relation, and each panel is provided. with an open slot 31a and for a purpose to, be presently described. 7 v I 7 I A coil spring 32 is anchored to each panel section 31 directly in alignment with the slots to normally hold the panels in alignment, said slots 31a serving to accommodate the spring 32 when the matrices are bent bent. Springs 33 are anchored to the outer edge of each panel 31 and to the front end wall of the compartment as shown, and serve to tension the panels when the matrix members are moved into engagement therewith to bend and then hold them in reversely bent position, all as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Calrod or other heating elements H are provided in the compartment C directly adjacent the front end thereof, and when these elements are energized, they will heat the space between the front wall and the plate 28, the heat softening the matrix fibers and causing them to slide on each other, and then remain in set position, which permits the matrix to spring back fiat and straight after the reverse bending operation. Additional bearings 34 are provided on the rear end of the machine as shown, and

a horizontally disposed shaft 35 is journaled therein and on which the gear 36 is mounted, said gear meshing with and driving a spur gear 37 mounted on the shaft 22.

A crank or handle I is provided on the one end of the shaft 35 for operation of the chain to travel the bracket and matrices into and out of bending engagement with the panel sections 31, a dog 38 serving to hold the gear 36 and bracket B in set position.

A suitable switch W is provided on the shelf 12 and is connected to the calrods and to a suitable source of power A timer T is also located adjacent the switch and can be of any suitable make at present on the market, so that when the switch is actuated to energize the calrods and provide a predetermined temperature, the timer can be set to maintain this temperature in the compartment for the period desired.

Method of operation:

After the press plates have been cast, the curved matrixmembers are ready for filing or storage, prior to which they must be straightened, and this I accomplish by placing a predetermined number of matrices in the compartmentC stacked one against the other, said stack bearing against the vertical-sections-26and 27 ofthebracket B. The operator then actuates the crank I so that the bracket B, which is mounted on the chain, carries the matrices forwardly so that theends be ar'against g:. m v and will now spring back flat, so that they can be readily filed in a minimum storage space and-in an orderly manner.- It will, of course, be understoodthat the chain'can be motor-driven, if desired, andanydesired heating arrangement may be utilized without departing from the spirit'of the invention.

From theforegoing' description, it will be obvious that I have perfected a verysimple, practical andqeconomical: matrix'compressing and straightening device fiotfstraight ening curved matrix members used in newspaper plants and industries having similar requirements: J 7

What I claim is: V i l. A matrix compressing machine 'for reversely-jbending concavo-convex, relatively soft, fibrous matrix-mem bers to anopposite curvature comprising; ,a substantially; closed. compartment; a shoe-in said compartment having a generallyplanar portion transverse-to theaXisofpurvature of said members against which the mid-portions of the matrix members may beplaced; means; carrying said. shoe -for supporting said matrix members-,{for moving said shoe in said compartment in the direction offthe axis of curvature of said members;pivotallymonnted,

. 4 tensioned panels mounted to swing outwardly away from theaxisof curvature against which theedges of the matrix -members are carried when said shoe is actuated; resilient means, connecting said panels to progressively tension said panels as they are pivoted, yieldably restraining outward swinging movement of said panels when engaged by said matrix members upon travel of said shoe toward said panels; and meansgfor heating said com partment.

2. The combination defined in-claiml in which said heating compartmentincludes heating elements in the end of said compartment adjacent said panels and remote from "saidshoe; and-said-shoe'carries an imperforate bafiie of substantially the-cross-sectional area of the compartment movable with the shoe for concentrating the heat in one end of the compartment when the shoe has reversed the curvature of said members.

7 3. The combination definedin claim Lin which a spring connects said panels and provides a resilientvmember contacting. and controlling vthe .reversed curvature of; .the

matrix members during .the'bending operation.

UNITED STATES 728,086 Davis May.l2, 1903 1,175,133 Davidson Mar. 14, 1916.. 1,200,757 Peters Oct. 10, 1916 1,424,280 Case ,.Aug.-.1,,1f922' 1,754,549 7 Elliott Apr..15, .1930, 1,906,392 McLeod May 12,1933 2,425,390 .Palmeret a1. Aug. 12, 1947' 2,429,692". Joyce Oct. 28,.1947 2,431,353 Varner et a1, Nov. 25,1947- 2,441,699 Gramelspacher .May ,18, 1948 2,487,495 Taber 1Nov.8, 1949 2,493,439 Brallnd Jan. 3, 1950 2,518,918 Mauge Aug 15, 1950 ,Abercombie Oct. is 1954' 

